OKC Thunder: Luguentz Dort is the Harden whisperer

Luguentz Dort defensive menace on James Harden

In a review of the game film, there are specific plays where the two Arizona State alums were pitted against each other that offer great examples of why Luguentz Dort has become the Harden whisperer.

You’ll find a highlight video from Fox Sports in this post that showcases Dort’s highlights. However, many of the individual plays I’ve selected can be viewed on NBA.com via this link. Look for the time stamp I’ve provided on the right and it will take you to the specific play on the above link.

First Quarter:

First example: Dort displays his strength as he stands Harden up under the basket on a driving layup. Time Stamp: 11:07, second on the list.

Second example: initially, the sniper tries to body Dort to push him off and create space (of note this is even before he has the ball). Despite P.J. Tucker trying to create interference to impede the youngster from getting to Harden he’s able to bother him enough that he ends up tossing up a Hail Mary 3-pointer that misses the mark – – READ: Air-ball. Time Stamp: 9:57, third video on the list.

At 7:22 of the first quarter, there is a good example of Harden wanting to shoot but Dort’s defense forces him to give up the ball. This occurs after Dort fights around the P.J. Tucker screen who by the way is a top-notch defender in his own right.

Fourth example: Another air-ball by Harden as Dort stays connected to him. If you’re asking why Dort is better at this than say Terrance Ferguson, Hamidou Diallo, Dennis Schroder of the other OKC defenders it’s a combination of factors:

First Dort is strong enough not to be pushed off via James’ underrated strength. (There is an example later in the game when he sends Darius Bazley backward using that strength). The other factor is Dort gets up underneath Harden but is disciplined keeping his hands away so the foul can’t be drawn. And, finally his speed both north/south and laterally east/west means Harden can’t shake him. Timestamp of the video is 6:38, fourth on the list.